Venetian blind



July 23, 1940.

' F. E. LAwsoN 'VENETIAIQ BLIND ripa Jan. 27.11932 E 66! Hg/ le z | lllnll' 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FRED E. LAwsoN July 23, 1940. F. E; LAwsoN Vvl-mrs'rmn BLINB Filed Jan. 27. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l V fr" FRE E. LAwsoN July 23, 1940.

. F. E. LAwsoN n 2.209,276

VENETIA BLIND Filcd Jay. 27, 19558 5` Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED 'STATES yPa'rlazN'r OFFICE vENE'rIAN BLIND Fred, E. Lawson, Detroit, Mich. Application January 27, 193s, serial No. 1157.114

- 19 claims. (ci. 15s-r1) 'I'he present invention relates to window blinds or shades, and particularly to devices of the character described, commonly known as Venetian blinds, wherein .a plurality of slats are supported 5 in a manner to enable variation of their relative spacing.`

A primary vobject of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which embodies improved means for raising and lowerl0 ing of the slats.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein the device is supported within a window frame by means of pre-fabricated guide channels which l5 may be cut tov desired lengths and supported in position by means of novel end brackets.

Another object of the invention is to provide taken substantially on line VI-VI ofFigure 5.

a novel auxiliary channel section for use in connection with the raising and lowering mecha- 2o nism, which may be associated with and supported by one of the guide channels without the use of screws or other securing members, and the need of tools for such purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lift bar construction embodying novel means for connecting the actuating cables thereto, and means preventing excessive longitudinal tilting thereof, but which will enable easy removal of the lift bar from the guiding channels, when desired.

A further object is to provide improved means for the cushioning of abnormal stresses which might be applied'to theraising and lowering mechanism as by suddenly terminating the lowering movement of the blind or endeavoring to start the raising movementl of the blind too suddenly.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for pivotally associating the ends of the slats with the guiding channels.

A still further object of the invention is to improve devices ofthe character described in various and sundry details hereinafter referredto and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will mpr fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, as well as several variations in construction of detailed parts, and in which: Y

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a Venetian blind embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary. sectional View takenthrough the same substantially on line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, certain ol the parts being disclosed in full lines, taken substantially on line IlI-III otconstruction of the tilt bar and brackets thereon for connection to the ladder tapes.

Figure 6 is a transverse section of. the same,

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through one 'ofv the guide channels and the mechanism for raising and lowering the blind, taken substantially on line VII--VlI of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the same, taken substantially lon line VDI- VIII oi! Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an lenlarged fragmentary view illustrating' the details of modied means for supporting the ends of the slats'in vrelation to the guide channels therefor.

As shown on the drawings: A

Referring to Figure 1, the improved blind of my invention is disclosed` as being applied toa window frame, generally indicated at I5.' It will be understood -that this frame is provided with 'the usual sash, andthat this nasvbeen omittedv for convenience of illustration.

vertically disposed at the sides of the windowy frame are guide members I5 and II which are sociated channel and arranged to be xedly se cured to the window frame and form the sole means ior Vholding the channel in operating posi- A tion. In other words, the channel may be cut to any desired appropriate length depending' upon the height of the window frame, and can be secured in operative position without .having to As shown in Figure 3, it will be noted to extend into the end of the channel between the sides thereof. By making this lug of sulcient width to engage the respective sides of the channel, the channel will be held against lateral movevment away from the side of the window frame,

and the lugs 23 will retain the channel against movements in. the opposite direction. The bracket is secured to the bottom of the window frame 'by means of screws 25 which extend through appropriate openings in the plate.

The bracket at the top end of the guide channel is substantially U-shaped, one leg of the bracket being secured as by screw 26 to the side of the window frame. 'Ihis legis provided withy a series of spaced apart struck-up lugs 21 and 28V adaptedto receive the top of the V-shaped channel therebetween so as to hold it against lateral movements. The other leg of the U-shaped bracket is disposed inwardly of the guide channel and is utilized as a pivotal vsupportYfor a tilt -bar 29 as will hereinafter be more fully described.

The base portion of the bracket, this portion'being disposed uppermost, serves as a mounting for a suitable pulley or pulleys 30 to be used inconnection with the cable connection to the actu-- ating mechanism. This base portion is also provided with struck-down lugs for association with the turned edgesof the guide channel at is uppermost end.

'I'he tilt bar 29 is of tubular construction and is pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the innermost legs of the top U-shapved brackets 2|. This fbar, at its 'right end, is provided with a telescopically associated extension 3| which is axially adjustable in the tubular member 23, so that 'the bar may be adjustably lengthened or shortened. The member 3| is held in adjusted position by a collar 32 arranged to fit over this end of the bar, this collar having alset screw 33 arranged to threadedly engage the bar and abut at its inner end againstthe member 3|.

The other end of the bar 29 has amxed thereto a tapered collar 34 adapted to be disposed in an lappropriate socket 35 formed in a. rotatably mounted socket member 36 supported on thevinnermost leg of the U-shaped bracket associated with the left guide channel, as shown in Figure 4.

With the arrangement just described, it will be apparent that thetilt 'bar may be easily removed simply by loosening the screw' 33, whereupon the member 3| may be retracted from a normal supporting position with its outermost end disposed in a suitable opening in the right hand top bracket. As soon as vthe bar is shortened by retracting the member 3|, the bar may be shifted to the right so as to withdraw the collar 34.from its associated socket in the member 35, thereby enabling thel tilt bar to be readily removed.

A p air of brackets, generally indicated at `54', are carried by the tilt bar 29. 'I'hese brackets are respectively connected to ladder tapes 55 of usual construction'arranged to support a plurality of slats 56 in the usual manner.' v

As more clearly shown in Figures 5, and 6, each of these :brackets comprises a -pair of arms 51 and 56 which are respectively apertured intermediatev their ends as shown at 53 to receive the bar therethrough. `'Ihe arm 53 is secured tightly to the bar 23 in any suitable manner, whereas the arm 51 is supported for sliding movement on the bar 23. l

Each end of the arm 53 carries a pin 60 which extends at right angles to the arm and hasone end iixedly secured thereto. The arm 51 is apertured as shown at 6| to receive the free end lof the. pin, this end of the pin' being provided with a'circumferential groove 62 which is adapted 'to receive a spring 63 therein for latching the pin' against removel from the arm 51.

The uppermost ends of the ladder tapes are respectively secured to the pins 63 lying on opposite sides ofthe bar 29 yby means of metal ears or clips 64 which are secured to the ladder tape as by rivets 65 and denne tubular portions at the end of the ladder tape adapted to receive the pin therethrough and form a pivotal connection to the tape. With this arrangement, it is a very easy matter to disconnect the ladder tape and the supporting4 bracket, this being accomplished simply by releasing the ends of the pins which are engaged by the springs 63, whereupon the arms 51 and 53 may relatively be moved away from each other to free the ends of the pins and permit the ears 54 to be axially removed fromthe Pins.

Although I have shown a particular manner of latching the ends ofthe pins relative to the arm 51, it will be appreciated that other types of latches or otherv means may be utilized for this from 'the scope and vertical alignment during raising and lowering l movements. y Raising and lowering of the slats is accomplished by means of a lift bar', generally lindicated at 66, which is disposed below the lowermost slat of the blind. .As shown 'in Figure 2, the lift bar comprises an inverted U-shaped channel 61 having its edge margins inwardly turned as shown at 63.4 f

Inserted in each end of the lift bar is a plug extension 69 which maybe of wood or any appropriate material. 'Ihe projecting end of this plug is tapered similar to the projecting portions at the ends of the slats so as to fitl the associated guide channel. This plug at its projecting endV is provided with an inclined downwardly opening groove 16 which terminates at its uppermost end adjacent the upper surface of the plug and at its lowermost end adjacent the lower surface of the plug, and forms a passageway for a flexible connection 1|, in this instance', a flexible cable. 'Ihe end of this cable is anchoredat the bottom of the lift bar as by a screw 12. Where Ithe -cable passes around the upper end of the groove at the upper surface of the lift bar, the cable is retained by means of a clip as shownat 13.A

lwith the foregoing arrangement, although the end of the cable 1| is secured at'the bottom of thev lift bar, the pulling forces are in eii'ect applied at the top of the bar so that the weight of the bar will tend to maintain the bar in vertical position. The cables at each end of the lift bar are carried through the guide channels and over vus pulleys Si) where they are connected to the mechanism for raising and lowering of the slats.

The mechanism for raising and lowering oi the slats embodies an auxiliary U-shaped channel 14 5 which is associated with one of the guide chanl extending turned lips 15 and 1I having their innermost edges spaced apartv as shown.

For mounting this channel in position, the material at the left vbottom corner, as shown in Figure 7, is extended to form a lateral flange 11 havl ing a turned `back outer edge margin 18" adapted to iit into nested relation with the turned edge I9 of the guide channel.

The other bottom corner -ofthechannel hasthe material thereof extended to form a rear-V wardly projecting ilange 1s4 which is in abutting engagement with the adjacent window frame and at its edge is curved asshown a'tl to extend around the base of the V-shaped guide channel. It will be evident thatv with this arrangement,

whenthe associated guide 'channel issecured in position by means of the top and bottom brackets, previously described, the'auxiliary channel will be securely held in place. ,Moreoven with this construction, it is not necessary to luse any tools for 80 connecting the auxiliary channel to the guide channel. nor are any securing members-such as screws, rivets, etc., necessary.

The base portion of the auxiliary channel is provided with a plurality of aligned spaced open- 85 ings 8| throughout its length. l

Mounted within the channel for longitudinal movement therein is a carriage assembly generally indicated at 82. This carriage comprises a box-like housing formed'of two sections 83 and 40 8l which are secured together in confronting relation by means of integrally formed upwardly extending lugs 85 on the respective sections.

When the sections are properly assembled, the lugs 85 are in surface engagement and may be secured together by a suitable bolt 86 and nut 81. Extending downwardlyirom each section is an` arm 8.8, these two arms of the two sections being in spaced apart relation aashown in dotted lines inv Figure 1. These arms forma support for an. 5o .axle 89 having contracted end portions to denne shouldersv sl for abutting the arms Il, when the ends of the axle" are extended through suitable apertures in the arms. This axle has molmted on its ends outside of the arms n wheels 9| which are adapted to run along the inturned marginal edges of the auxiliary channel and enable easy movement o! the carriage along the channel.

Swingably mounted between the arms 8l at their lowermost ends, as shown in'Figure 8, is a o latch member Il in the form of a ratchet which is adapted to extend into the openings Il and ,normally prevent movement of the carriage in an upward direction, but enable movement of the carriagein a downward direction. The latch 92 is pivotally mounted at its uppermost .end on a bolt 93. Swingably mounted on this same bolt is a trip lever Il which is connected to the latch 92 so that the lever and latch will be ymoved together`when the lever M is actuated. o The lever 94 extends between the inturned edges of the auxiliary channel. and projects to the outside thereof. Secured to the projecting end of the actuating lever 94 is a ilexible pullcord or chain v5 at having s mutable mean agite free end bymeans of which the operator-may easily grasp the pull chain for actuationof the lever Il.

The latch member .92 is normally moved in a clockwise direction to latching pomtion by means of a suitable spring l1.

Thelatchmemberilmayber'otatedina' counter clockwise direction to release it relative to the openings@ the bottom of the auxiliary channel simply by an outward pull von the piull chain il. This movement oi the latch and actuating lever is -limited by a projecting portion S8 formed on the actuating lever and adapted after predetermined movement o! the lever to strike tle-axle t! which extends between the two arms 8 8. v

With the latch member $2 in released position,

the carriage'may be moved upwardly in the auxwith suitable openings (not shown) to permit leading o! the cables 1I--1I thereinto. Inside the housing.' a loop in the cable is carried around a nut 89 which is substantially U-shaped with leg portions |00 extending upwardly and operating to guide the nut in up and down movemen within the housing. 'I'he nut is normally forced downwardly" towards the. bottom ot the housing by means of a spring Inl having its lowermost end engaging the nut and its uppermost end engaging the top o! the housing. -This spring orms a resilient cushion for any suddenly lapplied forces which may be aiiected by starting to raise the blind too quicklyv or by terminating its loweringl parent that it is a simple matter to quickly raisel and lower the slats of the blind as rectilinear movements oi' they carriage will be transmitted t0 the'liitirig bar which will be raised when -the' .carriage is moved downwardly, and lowered when. the carriage is moved upwardly. Moreover, theblindV will be maintained in adjusted position. by

means of the latch 92 which will positively secure the blind against downward adjustment -until such time as the latch is released by proper p ullv on the pull chain 9B.

In the Varrangement previously v described,

wherein the slats are providedwith end projec tions 65, the slat construction enables removal of vthe slats simply bytilting the slats longitudinally c until one of the end projections is disengaged relative to the associated guide channel. The slat may then be withdrawn from the ladder tapes by moving the slat longitudinally. It has vbeen found, however, that in certain installations it may be desirable to still provide for pivotal movements of the slats during tilting thereof, but prevent. their being longitudinally tilted to such position that they may be removed. This is accomplished by providing a bracket II1, as shown .in

Figure 9, which is secured to the slat end by.

means of rivets I i8 or other suitable means.

bracket is provided with a pivot Il! extending from the end of the slat upon which may be piv' oted a U-shaped arm |20 which has rotatably mounted thereon at its extremities wheels I2l'V which'are adapted to make surface engagement with the back'sides oi the outwardly turned lips u .for said means including a manually operable.

or marginal edges of the associated guide channel.

This arrangement permits'the slats to be tilted as.

before, and raised and lowered in the usual manner, but will eectively prevent any attempt to longitudinally tilt the slats any appreciable amount.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides in a device of the character described improved means for raising and lowering of the slats; a device which includes novel' means for supporting the same in a window frame by means of pre-fabricated members which may be cut to desired length vand supported in position by means of novel end brackets; which utilizes a novel auxiliary channel section and means for securing this section to one of the guide channels; which includes improved means for supporting vthe slats; which includes a novel lift bar construction and means for connecting the actuating cables thereto, as well as improved means for preventing excessive longitudinal tilting of the lift bar; which incorporates improved means for cushioning of abnormal stresses which might be applied to the raising and lowering mechanism asv by suddenly terminatingthe lowering movement of the blind'or endeavoring to start the raising movement of .the blind too suddenly; which pivotally connects the ends ofthe slats in a novel manner with the guiding channels; andwhich embodies variousand sundry improvements in the details of construction of devices of the herein described character.

vlt is, of course, to be understood that although I have described in detail several embodiments of my invention, the invention is not to be thus and spiritl of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A window blind construction comprising means supported in a window for raising and lowering movements, an actuating mechanism 1 latch member mounted independently of said i means for rectilinear movements, and means i whereby movements of the former are connecting saidlatch member and rst means,

transmitted to the latter.

2. In a Venetian blind construction, a plurality of slats supported for raisingand lowering movements, and ratchet means mounted independently of the blind and operable to raise and lower said slat s,'said means being freely movable in'one direction but normally retained'against i movement in the oppositedirection.

of slats supported f or raising and lowering move- 1 ments, `ratchet means mounted independently of 3. In a Venetian blind construction, a plurality the blind and operable to raise and lower said slats,l said means being freely movable in one dii rection but normally retained against movement 1in the opposite direction, and means vfor releas- ,ing the 'ratchet means to enable free movement i in both of said directions.

4. In a device of the character'described, a

plurality of slats supported for raising and lowering movements, a pull-member for raising and lowering said slats, and latch means mounted in- ';dependently'of the slats and movable with said jpull member adapted to'mainta'in said slats inadiusted positions. v5. In a device of the character described, a

` .plurality of sms supported for raising and iowfering movements, means. .mountedfindependently of the-slats vand` movablerectilinearly to raise land lower said slats including a latch member,

the ,slats and movable rectilinearly to raise and lower said slats including a latch member, and a pull member for moving said means, said pull member being connected to the latch member.

'7. A device of the character described compris-` ing a plurality of slats supported for raising and lowering movements, a iixedly mounted ratchet,`

a spring actuated latch member mounted inde'- pendently of the slats and cooperatively asso-y ciated for movement along said ratchet, said latch member being normally retained against movement in one direction relative to the ratchet,-

but free to be Amoved in the opposite direction, means for actuating the latch member to a position enabling its movement in both of said directions, and means connecting the latch member and slats, whereby the slats may be raised and lowered in response tomovements of the latch member.

8. A window closure assembly comprising a Vblind arranged to be raised and lowered, an elongate member having aplurality of aligned opening spaced longitudinally thereof, a detent having asupport mounted independently of the blind and movable alongsaid member for selectively associating the detent witli said openings, a exible connection` between said blind and support,

' whereby movements of the latter are transmitted to the former, and means for manually controlling said detent and moving said support to actuate the blind. i

9. A window` closure assembly comprising a blind arrangdto be raised and lowered, a pull member supported forfrectilinear movements, and means for transmitting the movements of4 said member to said blind, said means including a resilient member for cushioning any suddenly applied forces during the raising and lowering of theblind.

10. A Venetian blind assembly comprising a plurality of slats arranged for raising and lowering movements, a slat guide member, carriage means supported on theguide member independentv of the slats for movement along said member, a latch normally enabling movement of the carriage in one direction, but securing it against movement in the opposite direction, means for transmitting the movements of the carriage to said slats, and a pull member for aetuating'said latch and moving said carriage. -'11. A Venetian blind assembly comprising a lurality of slats arrangedfor raising and lowering movements, a slat guide member, an elongate channel member supported on the guide member, said channel having aplurality of alignedopenings spaced longitudinally of its length, a carriage disposed in said channel independent of the slats i'or movements along'said channel, a detent on the carriage movable therewith into selective association with said penings, means including a flexible member for ransmitting the movements of the carriage to th slats, land means for manually actuating the' de ent to released position and moving said carriage.

l2. A Venetian .blind assembly comprising a plurality of slats arranged for raising and lowering movements, 4a guide channel for said slats, an auxiliary channel, snap-on means connecting the auxiliary channel and guide channel, a carriage supported for movements longitudinally of 5A V shaped channel forming a guide for said slats,

the auxiliary channel, means for transmitting movements of the carriage tothe slats, latching means supported on the carriage for movements therewith, andmeans for actuating said latch and moving the carriage to raise and lower the blind.

13. In a vVenetian blind assembly including a plurality of slats arranged for raising and lowering movements; means for mounting the blind in position in a window frame,- said means comprising anelongate slat guide channel disposed at one sideof the frame in a substantially vertical position, an anchor bracket lremovably associated with the lower end of said channel' and adapted to be secured to said frame, and 'an anchor bracket removably associated with the upper end of the channel and adapted to be secured to said frame.

14. In a Venetian blind assembly, means for mounting the blind in position in a window frame, said means comprising a pair of laterallydisposed channel members opening towards each other, removable anchor brackets at the top and bottom ends of the channels secured t0 thev window frame, said brackets constituting the sole means for connecting the channel to the window frame, a plurality of slats supported from the top anchor brackets, the ends of said slats being in guided association with said channels, and means for raising and lowering said slats.

15. In a Venetian blind assemblyiincluding a plurality of slats arranged for raising and lowering movements; guide members respectively associated with the ends of said slats, removably associated end bracketsl constituting the sole means- \for securing the guide members, the brackets at the upper end of said guide members constituting supports for said slats, pulleys carried by said latter brackets, and actuating means for raising and lowering said slats, said means including a flexible member trained over said pulleys.

16. In a Venetian blind assembly including a plurality of slats molmted for raising and lowering movements; the combination comprising a V channel an said channel having turned marginal edges, an auxiliary channel having a lateral edge in nested relation with one of the turned marginal edges of the V- channel, and a'lateral edge extending around the base of the V channel, means for independently securing the V channel in operative position on a Window frame, whereby the window frame cooperate to retain the .auxiliary channel against removal from the V channel, and means associated with the auxiliary channel for raising and lowering said slats'.

17. In a Venetian blind assembly, a slat guide channel, an auxiliary channel, said channels having parts in overlapping relation, and means for securing the guide channel in operativeposition on a window frame, said auxiliary channel being retained againstmove'ment to a position'wherein the overlapping parts of -the channels are unlapped, by said window frame.

18. In a' device of the character described, a

I plurality of slatssupported for raising and lowering movements, a lift bar, aninclined groove at each end of the bar, said groove opening'downwardly and having its upper end terminating at the upper surface of the bar, and its other end terminating at the lower surface of the bar, flexible members having end portions respectively extendingthrough said grooves and secured to said bar, and means including said members for raising and lowering the lift bar.

19. In 'a device of the character described, a plurality of slats supported for raising`and Alowering movements, a lift bar, an inclined vgroove at each end of the bar, said groove opening downwardly and having ,its upper end terminating .at the upper surface of the bar, and its other end terminating at the lower surface of the bar,

flexible members having end portions respectively -extending through said grooves and secured to l said bar, a. clip at the upper end of each groove for retaining the associated flexible member therein, and means including said members for raising and lowering the lift bar.

` ERED E. LAWSON. 

